Pac-12 blog: Week 4 preview, picks

Is there an upset in store for Stanford against Arizona State?

I can vouch for all college football fans when I say this, thank goodness for Stanford-Arizona State.

Week 4 is by far the least compelling week of this season. If you're pressed trying to find a Saturday to spend with your families, go with this one. Just be back by 5 p.m.

Oh, and stick around for Utah-BYU.

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 23 Arizona State (2-0) at No. 5 Stanford (2-0)

5 p.m., Saturday

Stanford by 6½

Easily the nation's biggest game of Week 4, Stanford and Arizona State have BCS bowl aspirations. One team will take a huge step forward while the other loses significant ground.

Stanford has established itself among the elite programs in the country. The Sun Devils have been on the cusp of doing the same for years, but they haven't been able to win games like this one.

It helps that Arizona State faced a physical team last week in Wisconsin. But the Cardinal is much better than Wisconsin on both sides of the ball. Given the size and speed of Stanford's front seven, Arizona State will need a huge game from quarterback Taylor Kelly to back the Cardinal off the line of scrimmage. Even if that happens, Stanford's defensive line can apply plenty of pressure on its own. That's a huge advantage for the young Cardinal secondary.

Arizona State's defense should be able to combat Stanford's power running early in the game. But the Sun Devils gave up 231 rushing yards against the Badgers last week.

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How can we expect them to do better against Stanford, in their first road game no less?

I see the Cardinal grinding out an 11th straight win.

Prediction: Stanford 34, Arizona State 23

No. 17 Washington (2-0) vs. Idaho State (2-0)

1 p.m., Saturday

The Huskies will build a big lead and get their starters out early to rest up for their conference opener against Arizona. The Wildcats are off this week.

Prediction: Washington 48, Idaho State 10

USC (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12) vs. Utah State (2-1, 1-0 MWC)

1:30 p.m., Saturday

USC by 7

USC certainly stepped up their game a week ago versus Boston College. Cody Kessler played very well, and I'm sure that had a lot to do with him being named the Trojans' starting quarterback.

USC was dealt an embarrassing loss to Washington State in Week 2. I can't see the Trojans suffering two upsets in such a short span.

Before the season, I said this was one of the most underrated matchups of 2013. Then the Beavers lost to Eastern Washington, and the Aztecs lost to Eastern Illinois -- both at home, both in Week 1. This is still a big game, if only because it's a chance for both teams to distance themselves from said losses.

I like the Beavers in this one. Their offense is playing at a high level, and Sean Mannion has emerged as one of the best pocket passers in the country. Oregon State's defense has given up a lot of points, but so has San Diego State's. And the Aztecs haven't produced much offense.

Prediction: Oregon State 45, San Diego State 21

Utah (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12) at BYU (1-1)

8:15 p.m., Saturday

BYU by 6½

It's a rivalry game between two evenly-matched teams, so this is a tough one to call.

Utah's loss to Oregon State last week had to be devastating. Can the Utes right the ship quickly and bring home a de facto state title?

I doubt that will happen. The Cougars are at home, and they're feeling pretty good after trampling over Texas. Plus, they're coming off a bye week.

Prediction: BYU 34,Utah 30

No. 13 UCLA (2-0) vs. New Mexico State (0-3)

8:30 p.m., Saturday

UCLA by 42½

If the Bruins aren't in the top 10 after this one, they will be soon.

Prediction: UCLA 52, New Mexico State 6

Washington State (2-1, 1-0 Pac-12) vs. Idaho (0-3)

8:30 p.m., Saturday

Washington State by 31

Lo and behold, there's another rivalry game (kind of) this week. Bad blood does exist between these two teams, given their proximity, but the Vandals dislike the Cougars way more than the Cougars dislike the Vandals.

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